News of St. John

Big weekend on a little island

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:53:00 +0000

A triple-header of activities drew hundreds of locals and visitors to the Beach Bar, the Sprauve School playground, and Mongoose Junction over the weekend.

The fun began with the 9th annual Minimal Regatta on the waterfront, an annual competition which requires competitors to build a watercraft out of not much more than nuts, twigs and Styrofoam. About eight people entered the Beach Bar event this year. Despite the fact their ‘boats’ could include little more than a sheet of plywood, some boards, nails and duct tape, a good time was had by all who launched and sailed their craft. None were lost at sea.

Applause for La Plancha del Mar

Mon, 04 May 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Jonathan Fritz, co owner of La Plancha in the Marketplace on St. John talks about doing business on the island, his new "5 or $5" Happy Hour deal, and how he manages to get fresh fish every day.

St. John Show #43: 'Handsigns for Hitchikers'

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:01:00 +0000

American Airlines puts the pressure on; record number of homes for sale; 'Handsigns for Hitchikers' from the Sun Times (www.stjohnsuntimes.com/slideshow/show?num=31) and Shelley, the manic trip blogger, is back (islandgirl.typepad.com/take_me_to_the_island

St. John Show #42: A long time between episodes

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Special guest: Ella Anderson, owner/publisher of the St. John Sun Times, the island's monthly magazine. On the wWeb at www.stjohnsuntimes.com.

We talk about the future of the Mail Center, the Surly Cantina restaurant, how springtime has brought hoards to St. John and cleaned out Starfish Market.

St. John Podcast #40: Thanksgiving at Banana Deck

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:53:00 +0000

Amy Farris, visiting from Springfield, Va., had what she called a "traditional meal" at the Banana Deck which, for others in her party, also served more casual and even West Indian dishes.

Links: BlueTang.vi, Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #39: Artists Association has new shows and new classes

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:00:00 +0000

Amanda Smith, the new Gallery Director for the Artists Association of St. John, is drawing up some big plans.

Suspecting there's a little bit of artist in many locals, she's hoping that, eventually, the group's gallery will host not only regular exhibits of members' work but also daily classes.

St. John Podcast #38: Flavors of St. John

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:05:00 +0000

Rotary Club's annual tasty event and fund raiser, a Taste of St. John, is scheduled for next weekend, November 17 at the Westin Hotel.

As many as 20 restaurants, caterers, and food and beverage distributors will be offering samples during "Flavors." The evening will feature food, drinks, wine tasting and dancing. Tickets cost $100 and dress is 'island fancy.' You can order tickets online at http://www.flavorsstjohn.com/flavorsonline.html.

If you'll be visiting that weekend, attending is a great way to meet people who are active in the business and community life of the island. You'll have fun and come away with a greater sense of the spirit of St. John.

News of St. John: Picking up the pieces at Villa Tesori

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:34:00 +0000

Michael Mullen just wanted a 4-bedroom villa at Rendezvous Bay. What he got was an argument with his builder, a barely-started project, the opportunity to nearly go broke ... and a 5-bedroom retreat called Villa Tesori.

Newsofstjohn.com

Radio St. John: Countdown to closing Panini beach

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:16:00 +0000

It's 10 years and out for Janet Kleiner and Joe Guarise. They'll be closing their Cruz Bay beach-side trattoria at Wharfside on August 17th. Their moderately-priced restaurant's menu included inventive Bellinis to start, excellent pasta and hot Italian sausages (my favorite), linguine and clams for an entree, and a Cioccolato Panino for Dolci.

Links:

www.BlueTang.vi
Newsofstjohn.com
Paninibeach.com

St. John Podcast #34: Seeing a need on island

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:32:00 +0000

Katilady Catering and one of its top chefs, Erika, are creating feasts in villas. The price is steep, but what the heck, you're on vacation, right?

Visit our new gift shop: http://astore.amazon.com/woolyknits-20
Buy CDs of Inner Visions and guide books.

Katilady.com
BlueTang.vi
Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #33: Welcome Baskets

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:30:00 +0000

Edika Franco, a new chef at Katilady Catering, talks about preparing welcome baskets for villas, and inspirations for the expensive, but tasty, in-villa catering.

Links: Katilady.com, BlueTang.vi, Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #32: Owning a villa is no surefire breakeven deal

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:13:00 +0000

Bob Faucett, owner of the Sundancer villa in Fish Bay says it's probably not possible today to build a villa, with a mortgage, and break even by renting. Links:
Sundancer.com
Newsofstjohn.com
BlueTang.vi

St. John Podcast #31: So you want to own a villa

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:00:00 +0000

So you want to own a villa, part 1

Many people dream of having a villa on St., John. And they figure that if they put it on the rental market, maybe - just maybe - it'll breakeven. They'll have free vacations, appreciation, and no cash out of pocket.

Right. I did say "dream", didn't I?

Now, some people can make such a deal work. The big "gotcha" is mortgage payments. But for Bob Faucett, the owner of the three-bedroom house Sundancer in Fish Bay, the dream has come true.

In a conversation, Faucett explained how his first smart move was what's called in retail, "buying right." He purchased the property in 1998, when the average home price was about $450,000. Then he made some other smart moves, which he reveals in this first part of the conversation.

Links: Sundancer.com, BlueTang.vi, newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #30: Carnival's Shuga Shack

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:35:00 +0000

The St. John Festival features Cultural Day in the park followed by the Festival Mix and its bands Tuesday night at the ball field behind Sprauve School (and across the street from Tage). Part of the annual Festival's fun is the Village in the Cruz Bay public parking lot, across the street from the Post Office. More than a dozen plywood shacks are erected, painted brightly, and imaginatively lit as folks sell island foods, drinks, and fun.

One of the booths, the Shuga Shack, is the work of Jessie Cawley and Miss Val. What's it like to do a booth? Listen to this conversation with Jessie.

Links: Newsofstjohn.com, BlueTang.vi

St. John Podcast #29: Wi-Fi woes in the Virgin Islands

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:25:00 +0000

Will Culver is a bit worried for some people who may be buying condos in Cruz Bay and are hoping to get Internet access. Despite guarantees by developers at Sirenusa and Grande Bay, Culver says Innovative Communications, the islands' phone company, can take years to install phone lines, never mind DSL technology.

"Pulling wires is expensive which is why I like fixed wireless, Culver said. That's technology through which a small dish picks up a broadband signal from a tower. There is a tower on St. Thomas and if you have a view of St. T, you can get Culver's wireless service.

St. John Podcast #28: Internet access

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:12:00 +0000

Some businesses on island are using Vonage for their phone service. Visitors to the Virgin Islands are bringing their laptops and using Skype to make calls back to the mainland and around the world. So says Will Culver, founder and owner of Surf da Web. "In the Virgin Islands, we now have (Internet) access," Culver said. "The truth is that most of the villa renters can't leave home without it, so as many as 40% of the rental homes have Wi-Fi networks. Culver estimates he's done 250 wireless installations in the past three years.

Links: Newsofstjohn.com, BlueTang.vi, Surfdaweb.com

St. John Podcast #27: Kevin and Cheech, Part 2

Wed, 30 May 2007 12:41:00 +0000

The Beach to Beach Power Swim last weekend was a big success. A good time was had by all after the race, too. An island barbecue was held at Oppenheimer Beach, and St. John Brewers set up a tap to pour its Summer Ale. We had a chance to talk with Kevin and Cheech about their new brew. Here's part two of that interview.

Links: BlueTang.vi, stjohnbrewers.com, newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #26: Beer makers have a new brew

Wed, 23 May 2007 14:17:00 +0000

The boys at the Tap Room have been cooking something up for months: Island Summer Ale. The brew is in bars and restaurants this week.

"It is a light refreshing summer beer perfect for our Caribbean climate," said Chirag Vyas and Kevin Chipman, owners of two-year-old St. John Brewers. "It's a recipe we've had in our files for a long time, and it just seemed right."

Links: stjohnbrewers.com, bluetang.vi, newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #25: Win the Mixology Warehouse

Wed, 16 May 2007 15:30:00 +0000

Gary Moses is trying, a second time, to give somebody else a second chance. Later this month, he will launch an essay contest in which the prize is his five-year-old Mixology Warehouse. The entrance fee is $100. Each 100-word essay will be reviewed by a panel of three judges.

Links: MixologyWarehouse.com, BlueTang.vi, Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #24: Wagapalooza

Wed, 09 May 2007 13:33:00 +0000

Women, children, and dogs of all ages will be in the center ring at the Cruz Bay ball field Saturday evening for the 7th annual island-wide dog show, Wagapalooza.

Pets will compete in 10 categories including Biggest Lap Dog, Best Smoocher, and Best Trick. "My favorite is 'Best Look-a-Like," said Jennifer Dale, one of the organizers of the event which benefits the Animal Care Center. "That one's always a little spooky." St Croix's Roger W. Morgan, host of Paradise 93.5 radio's morning show, will help MC the event.

Web sites:

BlueTang.vi
Wagapalooza.com
NewsofStJohn.com

St. John Podcast #23: New owner of the Sun Times

Wed, 02 May 2007 15:52:00 +0000

The owner of the St. John Sun Times smiles when she says she got her new job through Craigslist, the Internet's biggest classified ad site. Eloise Ham and her fiance, Tyler Anderson, were ready to start new lives outside Los Angeles. The island has become their new home, after one visit. She's at the newspaper, he's general manager at Catered To's villa rental business.

Links:
www.BlueTang.vi
www.Newsofstjohn.com
www.StJohnSunTimes.com

St. John Podcast #22: Morning over Great Cruz Bay

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:26:00 +0000

The VI tourist economy is not managed to deliver a good vacation experience, according to Berkeley Young of Randall Travel Management. The consultant who advises resort areas and resorts how to boost their business, offered a workshop to VI tourist businesses. He urged them to make it easier for travelers to find out what's going on and how to take advantage of it. Young said the tourist economy is organized for the convenience of its employees, like cab drivers. That's wrong.

St. John Podcast #21: Getting there is NOT half the fun

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:00:00 +0000

Tourism is critical to St. John's economy. So while Members of Congress on a junket can be counted on to visit, a travel industry consultant cautions the island faces competition for regular tourists.
newsofstjohn.com
bluetang.vi
www.rtmnet.com

St. John Podcast #20: Paul Trujillo, Part 2

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:29:00 +0000

We hear it a lot. People come to St. John to get away from cold weather, bad relationships, or because they love the island. But living and working on island have their challenges. Business people tell us they rarely are able to take time off. Restaurant and retail employees often work two jobs or split shifts, leaving little time to relax. So, when visitors joke with a bartender that it must be wonderful living in paradise, they should not be surprised if the response is bittersweet.

In the second part of a conversation with Paul Trujillo, the new executive chef at Paradiso, he talks about this kind of thing. He's been on island four years. While his own culinary skills have been praised, he has good words for some other cooks, too. In this portion of our interview, he names his favorite places to eat.

BlueTang.vi
Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #19: Chef Paul Trujillo

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:00:00 +0000

Paul Trujillo has moved on down the road from the Lumberyard's Ten Tables to the upscale Paradiso Restaurant at Mongoose Junction. One difference is that he now has four people helping him in the kitchen. At his former operation, in Chilly Billy's space, he had one or two.

But it's Paradiso's menu where Trujillo hopes to see the biggest difference. He working on the new menu by becoming Getting familiar with the various vendors' offerings of for fresh meats and fish, vegetables, and fruits. Among his menu changes changes, he hopes to add a rack of lamb.

Web sites:

www.BlueTang.vi
newsofstjohn.com
stjohnrestaurants/paradiso.htm

St. John Podcast #18: Sloop Jones, Part 2

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:21:00 +0000

Part two of our conversation with the island artist.

SloopJones.com
BlueTang.vi
Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast #17: Sloop Jones

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:47:00 +0000

Sloop Jones is a man of many colors, two names, and lots of talent. Born Terry McKoy, he picked up the "Sloop" nickname in college and went into business with his partner, Jones, in South America several decades ago. So when he came to St. John more than 20 years ago, he named his company Sloop Jones. Rar out on East End, where he and his other partner, Barbara Alperen built a business designing and hand-painting shirts, dresses, skirts, hats, rugs, pillows and more. His artistry and execution are first class; his palatte rich in vibrant yet relaxing colors.

SloopJones.com, BlueTang.vi, Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast: Mark Wallace, Music Man

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 22:18:00 +0000

"Yes, I've played with Kenny Chesney," says Mark Wallace, when asked the question for the 100th time. "He's a nice young fellow," adds the 50-something gifted guitarist and singer who finds himself playing music as many as six nights a week at island bars and restaurants. In this week's podcast, Wallace talks about his music, and plays a little, too.

Links: www.BlueTang.vi, www.Newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast: Arts Festival in the Park

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:25:00 +0000

The annual arts festival, featuring an interview with its founder. Also some chattering about a neighbor's dog, the weather, and dinner at La Tapa.

Links:
www.BlueTang.vi
www.newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast: 8 Tuff Miles

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:07:00 +0000

In the last few days before Saturday's 8 Tuff Miles road race, event organizer Peter Alter said several competitors from France registered at mid-week. "We have entrants coming from all over, with Ohio, New York, and Virginia the states with the most," he said in this week's St. John Podcast.

Links:
www.newsofstjohn.com
www.BlueTang.vi
www.8tuffmiles.com

E-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast:: Best Beach

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:58:00 +0000

St. John's got dozens of beaches and after a few visits, you begin to have favorites. Xislandgirl, an active member at Virgin Islands On-Line, decided to ask fellow forumites where they liked to catch some rays and snorkel for Blue Tangs. The winners? Among the choices on the ballot, Hawksnest limped into first place with 18% of the votes, beaten badly by "Other's" 61%.

www.bluetang.vi

St. John Podcast: Elaine Estern, artist

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:00:00 +0000

Island art and music are now a double feature at Coconut Coast Studio's weekly gallery reception.

Elaine Estern opens her home-and-gallery Wednesday afternoons, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A few dozen visitors and locals generally show up to enjoy the art, the beauty of the sunset on Frank Bay, and Rich Greengold's classical playing.

Links:
BlueTang.vi
Coconutcoaststudios.com

St. John Podcast - Steve Simon, Blues Festival

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:32:00 +0000

Steve Simon, the island's music man, plans to make St. John a blue, blue place next month. He's producing the Third Annual Blues Festival, March 21st-25th, with the main concert in Coral Bay at the ball field, March 24. "It's the biggest music event in the Virgin Islands. We sell out all the car rentals, all the villas, and all the restaurants" he said in an in interview.

Web links:
http://www.newsofstjohn.com
http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com

St. John Podcast: Friends of the Park

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:38:00 +0000

The Friends of the Virgin islands National Park seminar series is more popular than ever. Friends president Joe Kessler said 27 programs are scheduled from January to April. "People need to call us as soon as they know when they'll be on island, to make reservations," Kessler said. "A day in advance is not going to cut it."

In this week's St. John Podcast, Kessler talked about the Friends seminars, what's new at the Cinnamon Bay archaeological dig, and the volunteer guides who answer questions at Annanberg Plantation.

Friends' site: www.friendsvinp.org

Newsoftjohn.com

St. John Podcast: Island spice girl

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 13:09:00 +0000

Ruth and Ron Ernst have called St. John home for almost 10 years. Their successful St. John Spice business is one of the first things you see coming off the ferry, located close to the dock, offering hot sauces, coffees, teas, and Ruth's hand-made Cruz Bay Grill Rub.

Ruth is a New Englander, and still has some of that area's stereotypical reluctance to talk about herself. But she loves to talk about the island, and her business, despite its long hours and seven-day-a-week demands. Doesn't leave too much time for limin', she said in this week's St. John podcast.

Links:

News from the island: Newsofstjohn.com
Mail order: Stjohnspice.com
Victor Provost's CD, Smooth Steel: CDBaby.com
Jeff and Russ's video with StJohn Ruth: http://www.bluetangproductions.com/video/stjohnspice2.wmv

St. John Podcast: Advice on renting a villa

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:26:00 +0000

There are now as many as 600 rental villas on St. John, with hundreds more condos and time shares set to hit the market in the next 18 months. How do you find the right place to stay? Most folks contact one of the island's dozen-or-so management companies. This week's podcast features Eileen Duffy, the owner of Catered To offering information and advice. Listen to find out what people most often forget to bring, why the refrigerator never seems to get cold enough, and why to can leave the party dresses at home.

Links:

Cateredto.com
Governordejongh.com
BlueTang.vi
Stjohnsuntimes.com

Feedback, suggestions ... e-mail frank@newsofstjohn.com

St. John Podcast: USVI-On-Line's Anthony Finta

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 21:27:00 +0000

St. John podcast: "A magical island"

Even folks who live in the territory agree St. John is special. Anthony Finta, whose Caribbean Online Web site and forum is a great source of information for visitors, can't explain it. Reading messages on his own boards, Finta said, "They just feel it's a magical place. People love to go there and when they are not there, they love to hear about other people going and hearing what's going on."

Links:

BlueTang villa: Bluetang.vi

Victor Provost: http://www.victorpanman.com

St. John Podcast: A chat with Bill in Va.

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:34:00 +0000

Bill King's been coming to St. John since 1991, when he visited the VI's to be with his son, then a chef on St. Thomas. That was about 14 trips ago, King said in a conversation. But despite so many visits, he doesn't tire of St. John.

The latest vacation, in December, was made memorable by a visit to the East End, and an afternoon at Vi's beach, a "fantastic" dinner at the Balcony, breakfast at the Donkey Diner, a scuba dive off Caneel, but a disappointing visit to the new Ocean Grill at Mongoose Junction.

What do you want to know about on St. John? Beaches, car rentals, restaurants, art shops, gifts, jewelry, Park trails, historic sites?

E-mail me, frank@newsofstjohn.com.

And if you;'d like to do a podcast with me, let me know.

St. John Podcast: Owners of the St. John Sun-Times

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:31:00 +0000

Tom Paine and Shirley Reid say their St. John Sun-Times is a newspaper for the softer side of St. John. He's a novelist, she's an artist, and together they've cooked up what Tom calls a bouillabaisse of different opinions from island people who are curious about St. John. "Our interest in St. John is from the perspective of people who love the art and the music and the culture," Paine said. "When we go around, we don't necessarily see hard news stores, we see change which is picked up by two artist-type people." His favorite interview in the past year was a one-on-one with Sen. Craig Barshinger at the island's miniature golf course, while Reid's favorite experience was - as a local - staying at Maho Bay campground.

The Web site: http://stjohnsuntimes.com/

News of St. John: John McCann, STJ Board of Realtors pres.

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:04:00 +0000

Dec. 6, 2006
John McCann, president of the Board of Realtors on island, says would-be buyers are making a strong comeback, with house hunting the most active in seven months.

Also a track from Victor Provost's new CD, "Smooth Steel", available for purchase at CDBay.com.

Comments, questions ... email frank@newsofstjohn.com

Visit the web site: NewsofStJohn.com

News of St. John: Interview with Victor Provost, Steel Pan Man

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 02:00:00 +0000

11/29/06: This weekend the Park will observe its 50th anniversary and Steve Simon's 2nd annual Christmas Festival will be celebrated downtown. Steve's lined up r-and-b and blues singers as well as Victor Provost, a St. Johnian and internationally known steel pan player. In this interview, Provost talks about growing up on island, where to find the best local music, and, of course, how to order his new CD, Smooth Steel, at CDBaby.com (http://cdbaby.com/cd/victorprovost)11/29/06: This weekend the Park will celebrate its 50-th anniversary and Steve Simon's 2nd annual Christmas Festival will be celebrated downtown. Steve's lined up r-and-b and blues singers as well as Victor Provost, a St. Johnian and internationally known steel pan player. Provost talks about growing up on island, where to find the best local music, and, of course, how to order his new CD, Smooth Steel, at CDBaby.com (http://cdbaby.com/cd/victorprovost)

News of St. John: Interview with Steve Simonsen

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 18:07:00 +0000

Steve Simonsen talks about producing a DVD about the history of the Park; why Fall on St. John is like spring in the states, and reggae from Kanalo.

Comments to frank@newsofstjohn.com

Link: http://www.stevesimonsen.com

St. John Podcast: The Fishtrap Restaurant, 11/12/06

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:52:00 +0000

The Fishtrap has been a landmark restaurant on St. John for almost 20 years. While known for moderately priced meals, it's also a comfortable spot for locals as well as island visitors looking for good food, no pressure, and a good time. With island restaurants moving upscale, the Lonnie Willis, the owner, has freshened the Fish Trap's menu for the new season to offer more fresh fish, some Asian tastes, great chowders, and, as always, a good time.